I don't know why, but I've always been really laid back when it comes to exams. I leave revision until no earlier than the fortnight or sometimes the week before the exam, simply because I work better that way, if I attempt revision before then it will be of no use to me in the exam. One strange thing though, about my exam behavior is that I never get nervous beforehand.
I've seen it time and time again, myself and my cohort or class waiting outside the examination hall, everyone with their heads in their notes and chatting anxiously about what the questions may be, panicking that they may have missed something in their revision. And then there's me. Literally, as calm as can be. It's not even as though I panic when I sit down in front of the paper, or while I'm writing, or when I leave. When I get home however, a completely different story ensues. This is the time that I worry, I turn the exam paper and the answers I wrote over again and again in my head. It's torture. Honestly, I realise that I am very lucky not to panic and become stressed before or during an exam, it really helps me to concentrate on answering the questions, but sometimes it really is a curse as well as a blessing.
Sometimes I wonder if it's just me? I've never met anyone else who openly admits that they feel calm during an exam. I know the likelihood is that there is someone out there who experiences something similar, but I am yet to find them. I'm extremely thankful for being able to be this way. Hopefully it will help me through my time as a student. I must say however, like everyone else, I do not like exams. I think the idea of telling someone that they have X amount of time to answer questions and they must do so in exam conditions (which - although people may disagree - is not conducive to passing an exam, I don't know anyone who feels comfortable in an exam hall) throws people off. I know it has done for me in the past. I understand that the exam conditions are in place to prevent cheating etc, but the time limit is what really gets me. I know that we couldn't have all the time in the world. But why not just say, answer the questions and when you're finished, hand your paper in and leave? Surely this would improve pass rates? Maybe it's just me, maybe people agree with me. It's just a thought. One that I know will never be the done thing. But a thought none the less.
So here I am, post exam - the stress of worrying about last weeks exam is just about wearing off. Nobody likes waiting for things, and waiting for results can seem like a life time. I'm not entirely sure what the outcome may be, I'm not too confident. I faired better in one question than I did in the other, but we will see.
Wish me luck!
